Bhubaneswar, April 28: Jamshedpur FC’s hero under the bar, Albino Gomes, admitted he never believed the tense quarterfinal clash against NorthEast United FC would head into a penalty shootout. Jamshedpur eventually triumphed 5-4 in the shootout after a goalless draw in regulation time to book their place in the semifinals of the Kalinga Super Cup, where they will face Mumbai City FC on April 30.

Reflecting on the hard-fought match, Albino said, "Honestly, I never thought the match would go into a penalty shootout. We were playing good football, creating chances, and I believed we could have scored at any moment. But that's football, anything can happen."

Albino, who made two crucial saves during normal time, stayed composed during the shootout. Speaking about the pressure of penalties, he said, "Penalty shootouts are always tense because you never know which way it can go. I was fully focused on the ball and kept my mind clear. It’s all about staying ready for the smallest opportunity to make a difference."

Having played a key role in Jamshedpur FC's historic third consecutive Super Cup semifinal appearance, Albino expressed pride in being part of the team’s journey. "It’s a big honour for me to be part of this team. It feels really good that we have reached the semifinals again. We will continue to give our best in the coming matches and aim for a positive result," he added.

Jamshedpur FC will now shift their focus to a tough semifinal challenge against Mumbai City FC.